Race ResultsEC 2019 Series
Results: R6 Overall; R4 Overall
EC Devil’s Stream
Results; Photos; Video;
EC British Open
Results; Photos
Canada Nationals
Results; Photos: -1-, -2-, -3-. Video H2H.
Pre-WRC, Ziyuan
Results: Men, Women; Photos: Trng, SP/OC, SL, H2H, DR; Videos: D1, D2, D3, D4;
ERC Vrbas, Bosnia
Results and media
EC Results so far
R6: OM; OW. R4: OM; OW.
EC Trnavka
Results: Sprint; Slalom. Photos.
WRC 2019, Tully
Results, Photos, press releases, etc
EC Wildalpen
Results: OM, U23M, OW; Photos
EC Priboj, Serbia
Results; Photos
EC Nottingham
Results, Photos: -1-, -2-, -3-. H2H Video
EC Romania, Dracula Race
Results; Photos
WRC 2018
All results
more archived Race Results
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By IRF admin, on August 15th, 2019  If your work is related to the river industry at all or even other adventure tourism activities, then we invite you to join us in Costa Rica to engage in dynamic discussions and exchange ideas with a vibrant and forward-thinking community of adventure travel professionals. Come build relationships, meet new colleagues, reconnect with old friends, access cutting-edge professional development, and join together to make the rafting industry worldwide even stronger and safer.
Where and when:
Over 250 participants from more than 25 nations will come together in this inaugural World White Water Rafting Summit to be held in iconic and tropical Costa Rica from 8 to 13 October 2019.
By Sean, on August 14th, 2019  The very successful and historic IRF Pre-Worlds 2019 have drawn to a successful close with 31 teams from 16 nations competing on the majestic Wu Pai River in Ziyuan County in southern China.
Teams from across the globe came together to test the waters, the systems and the race officials in preparation for next year’s IRF World Rafting Championship. Some testing moments with waters too high to paddle the downriver on the first training day meant some last minute changes to the schedule but everyone remained in high spirits and reflected the true spirit of IRF competition with camaraderie and support first and foremost.
In addition to the local hospitality and customs, a welcoming lantern festival on the Zi Jiang River just outside the hotel welcomed competitors and officials before racing started.
Late July ended up being very hot but with monsoons hitting the southern coasts of China, it meant heavy rains and thunderstorms to entertain the afternoons. The rains came and went in only a few short hours but each day racing remained dry with the white water of the Wu Pai testing all teams.
Sprint, Head-to-Head and Slalom were all held on the same section with the Sprint being a long section and teams running the top half of the Sprint to start Head-to-Head and Slalom. The renewed works on the river bank gave great viewing platforms for Continue reading Wet and wild WuPai ready for the IRF World Rafting Championships 2020
By Sean, on August 13th, 2019  Jib Ellison, adventurer, conservationist and sustainability expert, will be a keynote speaker at the inaugural IRF World White Water Rafting Summit in Costa Rica this October.
Working well in teams is one of the most useful life lessons a person can learn. Jib Ellison knows this firsthand using his more than 40 years of working in teams as a river guide and entrepreneur to effect significant results in cultural relations and environmental sustainability worldwide.
He used his knowledge of teamwork during the height of the Cold War between the USA and the Soviet Union in the 1980s to co-found Project RAFT (Russians and Americans For Teamwork), a nonprofit organisation that pioneered citizen exchange programs between the two nations built around wilderness river expeditions. Ellison knew that the teamwork naturally essential in rafting trips had the power to unite strangers, overcome differences and create lasting friendships – small actions that could lead to far-reaching changes. Continue reading Project RAFT founder and sustainability expert Jib Ellison is headed to Costa Rica
By Sean, on August 10th, 2019  Wilderness medicine expert Abigail Polsby will be a distinguished speaker at the first International Rafting Federation (IRF) World White Water Rafting Summit in Costa Rica from October 8 to 13, 2019. Polsby is the CFO and co-founder of Sierra Rescue International in California and directs the Sierra Rescue Wilderness Medical Program. She is an Instructor Trainer for Rescue 3 International and a certified American Canoe Association (ACA) Swiftwater Rescue Instructor. She will address the critical reasons why adventure travel outfitters should go beyond basic first aid and train their guides in wilderness first aid, as well as give practical steps for handling common injuries that happen in remote areas.
“When you’re out in the wilderness, you can’t always call 911 and just wait for help to arrive. You are the help. With a little bit of training and practice, you can actually do things to help someone who is injured,” said Polsby. “It is an adventure tourism company’s responsibility to take care of their clients. Guides need to know not only how to Continue reading Wilderness Medicine to be a major topic at the IRF World White Water Rafting Summit
By Sean, on August 7th, 2019  Leading world expert on river rescue and International Whitewater Hall of Fame member Julie Munger will be one of the esteemed international speakers at the inaugural World White Water Rafting Summit of the International Rafting Federation (IRF) from October 8 to 13, 2019 in Costa Rica. Munger, who is CEO and co-founder of Sierra Rescue International and the Western Regional Director for Rescue 3 International in the U.S., will lead a dynamic interactive workshop on the latest innovative techniques in river rescue and wilderness emergency management. She will address the importance of professionalism in guiding and why river rescue should be a part of every company’s everyday rafting practices, like any other risk management and risk assessment.
“River rescue should not just be focused on guides getting certification but should be incorporated into a rafting company’s everyday operations along with planning and prevention. Everyone needs to work together to keep the river environment safe,” said Munger.
Rafting and adventure travel professionals from across the globe will come together at the Summit to share their experience and best practices and to develop plans for Continue reading Julie Munger, world expert on river rescue to speak at the IRF World White Water Rafting Summit
By Sean, on August 5th, 2019  We are proud to announce the International Rafting Federation have joined the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change’s (UNFCCC) Sports for Climate Action initiative as a signatory to the Sports for Climate Action Framework.
The Sports for Climate Action initiative calls on sporting organisations to acknowledge the contribution of the sports sector to climate change and our responsibility to strive towards climate neutrality for a safer planet.
Through collective action and bold leadership, we have the power to make this fast and drastic transformation. By signing the Framework, we have Continue reading IRF proud signatory to UNFCCC Sports for Climate Action initiative
By Sean, on August 2nd, 2019  International author, social entrepreneur and raft guide, Ken Streater, will discuss how raft guides and adventure travel outfitters can transform their community and the world to inspire trust, ensure safety, and better the environment.
How raft guides and adventure travel outfitters can transform their communities and the world will be the discussion presented by keynote speaker Ken Streater during the first World White Water Rafting Summit of the International Rafting Federation (IRF) from October 8 to 13, 2019 in Costa Rica.
Streater, who is an international speaker, author, social entrepreneur and adventure travel outfitter from the U.S., is one of many international specialists who will lead powerful, engaging and interactive workshops at the Summit to be held at the Costa Rica Convention Center and the world-renowned Pacuare River. With the purpose of building on safety foundations in the adventure travel and sports industries, the Summit is backed by the Costa Rica Tourism Board (ICT). Over 250 participants from 25 countries are expected to attend.
“I am pleased to speak to a powerful group of rafting guides and outfitters about their capacity to transform their community and the world. River guides have a unique opportunity and obligation to Continue reading Ken Streater aims to empower the rafting community at the IRF World White Water Rafting Summit
By IRF admin, on July 16th, 2019 With our two major events already done and dusted teams are relaxing and enjoying some of the other events on our race calendar, plus there are quite a large number of national selections happening. And there are plenty of guide assessments happening.
 Wu Pai, Class 2 – 4, Ziyuan, Guang Xi Province, China This Sunday sees the start of the Pre-Worlds in Ziyuan, China. An incredible 31 teams from 16 countries are attending! Keep an eye out for updates on this on the IRF’s World Rafting Champs Facebook page.
In August we have National Selections in Salida, Colorado in the USA; Ottawa River in Canada; and Sapucaia in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil!
There are also the last three Euro Cup events of the year – the Downriver race on Devils Stream, Vltava in Czech Rep., then the British Open at Lee Valley White Water Centre, London, and then back to Labe, Roudnice in the Czech Rep. for the final race in the series.
Also in August is the now well known, White Water of Siberia Forum Continue reading Busy second half of the year for the IRF
By IRF admin, on July 12th, 2019
I remember attending my first ever rescue class in the UK in 1996 as a fresh faced 19 year old kayaker. I attended the course as I wanted to learn more about rescue and river safety.
During this time in the UK and Europe there was this new trend called the “Clean line principle” that was starting to gather momentum. Stories were coming to light that the handles on the end of your throwbag were potentially dangerous and could cause a snag hazard resulting in potential fatal accidents.
“Clean line principle”
 Any throwbag with a loop big enough to get a hand through is an entrapment hazard The clean line principle advises us that a loop in either end of a throwbag is a potential snag hazard. This means that the loop could potentially become snagged in a tree root or around a rock thus creating a potential entrapment hazard. We have always been taught that “Ropes and moving water are a bad mixture”. A swimmer or an object could then become entrapped in the snagged rope escalating a bad situation. By removing any loops from your throwbag you were reducing the probability of creating a snag hazard.
In my eyes over the years the clean line principle has now evolved into the “Clean Principle”. We have taken our leanings from the clean line principle and applied them to our personal Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) set up.
Unfortunately on my travels I am still seeing and hearing lots of stories of entrapment’s and near miss situations that could have been avoided if the “clean principle ” had been applied. Continue reading Keep it clean !!
By Sean, on July 7th, 2019 
The 2019 IRF European Rafting Championship is now over with friends old and new sharing our love of the river and our sport together as one river family. Together we make rafting sport the engaging, exciting and accessible sport that it is.
Regular podium winners were joined from other nations this year and we have welcomed teams from Serbia, Latvia and Croatia back to the IRF European Championships. Our love for rafting grows stronger each year and we welcome teams from all rafting nations from across the globe. Overall medals were hard fought especially in hot and sunny temperatures in the Vrbas canyon. The sportsmanship and camaraderie displayed by all teams has been an example for all other sports to follow. Thank you to everyone for participating so fairly and professionally.
We have welcomed new judges from Serbia, Romania, Bulgaria and Germany to our family! Thank you all for your hard work and dedication to the sport.
The final overall medals in each category were:
Youth (U19) Men:
🥇- 🇸🇮 Slovenia 1
🥈- 🇸🇮 Slovenia 2
🥉- 🇷🇺 Russia
Junior (U23) Women:
🥇- 🇷🇸 Serbia
🥈- 🇷🇺 Russia
Junior (U23) Men:
🥇- 🇸🇮 Slovenia
🥈- 🇨🇿 Czech Republic 2
🥉- 🇨🇿 Czech Republic 1
Masters Men:
🥇- 🇨🇿 Czech Republic 2
🥈- 🇨🇿 Czech Republic 1
🥉- 🇷🇺 Russia
Open Women:
🥇- 🇷🇺 Russia 1
🥈- 🇨🇿 Czech Republic 1
🥉- 🇨🇿 Czech Republic 2
Open Men:
🥇- 🇨🇿 Czech Republic 2
🥈- 🇨🇿 Czech Republic 1
🥉- 🇷🇺 Russia
Full Overall Results
Junior, Youth, Masters, Open
Slalom results:
Junior, Youth, Masters, Open
We may now be bidding farewell to Vrbas for this year’s IRF European Rafting Championship but it may not be for long! A bid for the IRF World Rafting Championship 2021 is now being submitted by the Banja Luka organisers! So we might now be saying farewell but we may soon be saying Dobrodošli Banja Luka sooner than you know!
#AreYouReady #RaftersAreAwesome #irferc #erc2019 #RiverFamily #rafting #StrongerTogether #Bosnia #BiH #BanjaLuka #Vrbas #whitewater
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Photo Albums
 ERC 2019, Slalom  WRC 2019, Downriver  WRC 2018, H2H  WRC 2017, Slalom  WRC 2016, Downriver  WRC 2015, Citarik River, West Java, Indonesia, (Masters Women, Slalom, 1st, Czech Republic) 
WRC 2014, Downriver
 WRC 2014, Sprint  WRC 2013, H2H  WRC 2013, Slalom  ERC 2014 |
If your work is related to the river industry at all or even other adventure tourism activities, then we invite you to join us in Costa Rica to engage in dynamic discussions and exchange ideas with a vibrant and forward-thinking community of adventure travel professionals. Come build relationships, meet new colleagues, reconnect with old friends, access cutting-edge professional development, and join together to make the rafting industry worldwide even stronger and safer.
The very successful and historic IRF Pre-Worlds 2019 have drawn to a successful close with 31 teams from 16 nations competing on the majestic Wu Pai River in Ziyuan County in southern China.
Jib Ellison, adventurer, conservationist and sustainability expert, will be a keynote speaker at the inaugural IRF World White Water Rafting Summit in Costa Rica this October.
Wilderness medicine expert Abigail Polsby will be a distinguished speaker at the first International Rafting Federation (IRF) World White Water Rafting Summit in Costa Rica from October 8 to 13, 2019. Polsby is the CFO and co-founder of Sierra Rescue International in California and directs the Sierra Rescue Wilderness Medical Program. She is an Instructor Trainer for Rescue 3 International and a certified American Canoe Association (ACA) Swiftwater Rescue Instructor. She will address the critical reasons why adventure travel outfitters should go beyond basic first aid and train their guides in wilderness first aid, as well as give practical steps for handling common injuries that happen in remote areas.
Leading world expert on river rescue and International Whitewater Hall of Fame member Julie Munger will be one of the esteemed international speakers at the inaugural World White Water Rafting Summit of the International Rafting Federation (IRF) from October 8 to 13, 2019 in Costa Rica. Munger, who is CEO and co-founder of Sierra Rescue International and the Western Regional Director for Rescue 3 International in the U.S., will lead a dynamic interactive workshop on the latest innovative techniques in river rescue and wilderness emergency management. She will address the importance of professionalism in guiding and why river rescue should be a part of every company’s everyday rafting practices, like any other risk management and risk assessment.
We are proud to announce the International Rafting Federation have joined the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change’s (UNFCCC) Sports for Climate Action initiative as a signatory to the 
International author, social entrepreneur and raft guide, Ken Streater, will discuss how raft guides and adventure travel outfitters can transform their community and the world to inspire trust, ensure safety, and better the environment.
